TRADE DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1305, 7 December 1911, Page 3

TRADE DEFENCE LEAGUE.

"HOTELS .NEVER. BETTER CONDUCTED." .AI. a meeting of the executive of the Wellington Trade Defence Eenyuo he'd vestorday nfternoun, the following vesolutions were unanimously adopted:— "1. That this league dopremtes tho wild and irresponsible statements made by the lenders of the New Zealand Alliance that tho licensed tr.idu is being carried on in nil -unsatisfactory way by disreputable persons, and desires to place on record its protest against such language, find to state that the hotels of Wellington were never better conducted, and the hotelkeepers themselves as a class never wore respectable.

"2. That the league, whilo regretting that religious questions have been imported into tho controversy, ■ is of opinion that the manufacture, sale, and use of alcoholic liquors is sanctioned aud approved bv the highest religious authority, and practised by the foremost and best men in all ages. "3. That tho league desires to cnler its protest publicly against tho continuous harassment which the licensed trado is subjected to, and that tho law that compels men and women to defend their legitimate mean* ot living every third ycai is unfair and contrary to the sound principles of British law and justice.

"1. That the league is of opinion that the claims of tho iN'ew Zealand Alliance, if put into operation, would be a violation of individual liberty, and a menace to public morals and religion; and that the loss financially is likely to embarrass the State.

"5. That the league trust that the citizens of Wellington will not be misled by the false -statements put in circulation by the executive of the N'eir Zealand Alliance of Prohibitionists, aud hopes that they will cast their votes in a way that shows their respect for their own and for the individual rights and privileges of their neighbours." In submitting tho foregoing resolutions to tho approval of the meeting, the chairman (Mr. A. E. Kernot), speaking on behalf o£ tho merchants, aerated-water manufacturers, and allied trades, took tho opportunity of reviewing tho position. Ha said that tho No-Liccr.se party had accused the Trade of fomenting opjusition at their recent meetings. Such was absolutely untrue. At the meeting addressed by some of the University students, membfirs of their own body (the Students' Association) had objected to som? of the speakers talking a.s if they represented tho whole body, which was very far from being the case. In the matter of the lamentable sports' meeting, members of tho athletic bodies generally were present in forcc to protest at a few obscure members of their associations talking on behalf of tho whole. Tha mind of both meetings was typical of the breaking point which had been arrived at in respect to the attempt of.the few to dominate the many. Dicta'tion would not be permitted, and, in tho future, the people, ho felt sure, would say so. Up till tho present tho wild and' frequently wickcd statements made had Ijeen recciveH with amusement. That time was now Public conscience had been awakened to the fact that its personal liberty was being tampered with, and it was not going to submit to it.